01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Rather than choosing a single cup of matcha, try two varieties side by side. Kyo no Saan’s matcha tasting set with a seasonal sweet lets you compare their aromas and depth of flavour. One visitor who tried the tasting noted that the two matchas differed in aroma, texture and aftertaste, and that the accompanying sweet had just enough sweetness to complement the tea. For a slower taste of one variety, there is also usucha (thin tea) or koicha (thick tea), each served with Kyoto sweets. The menu says a tea practitioner prepares the tea at a standing tea table. Koicha is made with Heian-kyo, a matcha reserved for the main shop; after enjoying it, you can ask to have usucha prepared with the matcha left in your bowl. This progression from koicha to usucha is a way to make the tea itself the focus.
For something sweet alongside your tea, options include usucha with matcha warabi mochi, as well as usucha, sencha or gyokuro served with lotus-root mochi. Some gyokuro sets come with dry sweets, so you can choose both your tea and its accompaniment. Seasonal Japanese confections are another draw. A visitor who came in 1 of one year ordered hanabira mochi and daifuku-cha, enjoying them with tea prepared on the spot. The hanabira mochi, filled with matcha bean paste, was described as having an elegant sweetness, with soft mochi and sweetly simmered burdock. The menu also lists a festive pairing of usucha with gold leaf and hanabira mochi for the year-end and New Year period.
One visitor found the atmosphere peaceful, away from the bustle of Shijo-dori. With a range that runs from matcha tastings to gyokuro and sencha, Kyo no Saan offers options for a quiet break with sweets or for exploring the differences between teas.
